In an email this afternoon, College announced a partnership with Curiosity Studio in reopening the Science Gallery.
Curiosity Studio was selected as the successful candidate to help design and implement a new operating model for the Science Gallery.
In November College announced a public tender seeking expressions of interest from cultural entities with experience in “delivering STEM-themed public engagement activities” to work in partnership with Trinity.”.
Curiosity Studio will partner with Trinity, and is currently working on renewing the Science Gallery Dublin concept, devising a programming and exhibition plan, and developing a “sustainable operating and financial plan for the medium term”.
Curiosity Studio is a creative studio based in Dublin, providing “creative solutions to bring projects of all shapes and sizes to life”, from live events to film and immersive design. It is well known for the Festival of Curiosity, which is an annual festival of science, arts, design and technology.
In October, it was announced that the Science Gallery was to reopen this summer in a “totally reimagined” format.
The gallery was forced to close in February of last year after a decline in grants and philanthropic income since 2017, which caused financial difficulties.
In August, the Sunday Independent reported that the gallery had €1.65 million in debt in the four years before College decided to close it.
Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) protested the closure of the gallery, and called on College to “secure a sustainable funding model”.
Then TCDSU president Leah Keogh said: “it’s an informal learning space, which are few and far between these days, and a space where the College connects with the community, which it doesn’t often do”.
The government will provide €300,000 in funding for the next three to four years.
